Ch 117: Reborn to Raise My Husband

Xiao Yuanbao looked up and saw a man standing just beyond the hall—his figure wrapped in a dark cloak, the fabric dusted with snow.

Tall and straight as a pine, Qi Beinan seemed to have weathered a long wind and frost. He had grown thinner, his once sharply handsome face now leaner, the bones beneath his skin more defined. A faint stubble shadowed his jaw, and dark circles marked the skin beneath his eyes.

Yet in those calm, deep eyes shone a warmth mixed with ache.

“Anan…”

The name caught in Xiao Yuanbao’s throat; his voice trembled. The next instant, his blood seemed to surge all at once. Bracing a hand on his back, he tried to rise and go to him.

But Qi Beinan had already crossed the threshold in haste, reaching him first and steadying his slow, unsteady steps.

He had ridden day and night, almost without pause, through snow and wind. The capital was blanketed in white, the roads near impassable. Yet from the distant slopes outside the city, when he saw the bright glow of the festival and heard faint sounds of revelry, the pull of home only grew stronger—and so he had pressed on, arriving just in time for the reunion meal.

He was chilled to the bone and knew he must look travel-worn and rough. Translated on Hololo novels. Those who knew the truth would say he had returned from a successful mission inspecting the salt trade; those who didn’t might think he had come back from defeat, ragged and dispirited.

He had meant to return with composure—to wash and change before seeing Xiao Yuanbao. But as soon as he stepped through the gates, the thought of the one he’d longed for all these months overtook him. He could not wait even a quarter of an hour longer. He went straight to the hall.

There, in the soft amber light of the lamps, he saw Xiao Yuanbao sitting quietly, murmuring to the child in his belly—speaking of him.

When he left, Yuanbao had been slender and light. Now his belly was round and full. A child did not grow to eight months in a day, yet this was the first time Qi Beinan had seen him since learning the news—and already the baby was nearly due.

A thousand emotions welled up within him. Gratitude. Guilt. Relief.

At least he had made it home. To miss the new year with his spouse and child would have felt like failing both husband’s and father’s duty.

Xiao Yuanbao clasped Qi Beinan’s hand, his gaze never leaving him. The once-smooth hands were now cold, rough, the palms thick with calluses.

“Why didn’t you send word you were coming? I could have gone out to meet you.”

Seeing how weary and worn he looked, Yuanbao’s heart ached. His voice softened with distress.

“I thought I wouldn’t be back until after the new year,” Qi Beinan said, his tone gentle. “But the final audits ended sooner than expected, and His Grace allowed me to return early. A letter would never have reached you faster—and I wanted to surprise you and the baby.”

He smiled faintly. “It seems I made it back just in time.”

At that, Xiao Yuanbao’s eyes grew red. “You’ve lost weight.”

“It’s nothing,” Qi Beinan reassured him. “The food in Yuanping didn’t suit me, and I ate little. Then the long ride home through wind and snow—traveling with a troop of men, there’s little care for appearance. That’s all.”

He released Yuanbao gently. “I’m still cold from the road, carrying half the winter with me. I daren’t hold you long. If the chill passes to you or the baby, that would be no good.”

He smiled, trying to ease the moment. “Let me wash and change before I see Father. I can’t have him look at me in this state.”

Yuanbao laughed softly. “He’s seen you looking worse. You’re not afraid I’ll see you like this, but you’re worried about him?”

“A son-in-law should at least look respectable,” Qi Beinan said, feigning solemnity.

Yuanbao could tell he was teasing—mostly to hide his exhaustion and the cold still clinging to his skin.

“Go back to your room,” he said gently. “I’ll tell the kitchen to bring you hot water.”

“Good.”

Qi Beinan bent to kiss his flushed cheek, then strode off toward Xingyi Pavilion.

“He’s back!” Yuanbao called out as he turned toward the kitchen.

The household stirred at once. He told Xiao Hu and Jiang Fulang that Qi Beinan had returned. Both were overjoyed.

Jiang Fulang, busy at the stove, said, “I’ll make two of his favorite dishes. Luckily we have plenty prepared—it won’t take long.”

Xiao Hu grinned. “Now the evening’s perfect. I’ll finally have someone to drink with.”

Yuanbao smiled and reminded the servants to add slices of old ginger to the bathwater to drive out the chill.

That night, what was meant to be a three-person reunion dinner became a true family gathering.

It was strange—adding just one person made the whole house feel warmer. Laughter filled the rooms, and the spirit of the festival seemed to glow brighter.

Two tables were set: one in the main hall for the family, and another in the servants’ quarters.

Once all the dishes were arranged, Yuanbao sent the servants off to enjoy their own New Year’s meal. Before they left, he handed out red envelopes. Hongtang, Wenge’er, and the others bowed gratefully before hurrying off, smiling.

Only the family remained at the table.

“Father,” Qi Beinan said with a smile, helping Yuanbao sit beside him before turning to pour wine for Xiao Hu, “now that you’re settled here in the capital, don’t be thinking of leaving the moment you see me home again.”

Xiao Hu chuckled. “Not this time. I’ll stay in the capital and teach my little grandson how to shoot an arrow.”

Xiao Yuanbao laughed lightly. “Girls and boys both need to learn archery now?”

Xiao Hu replied, “All the better if they’re strong and healthy. I won’t have them growing up frail like you did.”

“The manor back home—Tian Ken is still managing it?”

Qi Beinan was reassured by Xiao Hu’s tone; it was clear he meant to remain in the capital for good.

“Yes,” Xiao Hu said. “That lad is a real hand at farming. He’s done much for our family over the years, and he runs the estate like a master. When he married, as you two wished, we gave him his deed of freedom—let him decide whether to stay or go.

“But he said his father was buried in Ling County, and that he owed our family kindness. He wouldn’t leave. Said he meant to serve us for life. Seeing his loyalty, I let him be. Lucky we did—had he gone, I’d not know who could have managed the estate after I came to the capital.”

“Now with him and his wife keeping watch, I’ve nothing to worry about.”

Qi Beinan smiled. Much of what they had built over the years was thanks to capable people like Tian Ken. Men of such talent were rare; great households would never so easily set them free.

Yet Qi Beinan had long felt that Tian Ken had given too much to their family already. A man of ability should not live and die as another’s servant, nor have his children born into bondage. So, after discussing it with Xiao Yuanbao, he had granted Tian Ken his freedom at his wedding.

That the man chose to remain in service was repayment beyond expectation.

“I heard he even had a fine, plump boy last year.”

“Indeed,” Xiao Hu said, smiling. “A sturdy little rascal—strong as an ox, crawling everywhere the moment he learned to move. One day his mother turned her back for a blink, and he wriggled right under the bed, fell asleep there without a sound. Took them ages to find him.”

When there was nothing to do on the estate, Xiao Hu liked to play with the child, always bringing him soft cakes. Seeing other people’s grandchildren only made him long for the day he’d have a little grandson of his own.

So when he received Yuanbao’s letter about the pregnancy, he’d packed up at once and come to the capital—faster even than when he’d rushed up for their wedding.

Xiao Yuanbao took a bite of the fish Qi Beinan had picked clean of bones for him and smiled. “You weren’t here to know, but later that year Brother Fang wrote too. They’ve had a second child—a boy. The whole family was overjoyed.”

Qi Beinan raised his brows. “He married late, but he’s made quick work of it. Two children already?”

“Exactly. Second Sister married before him and only has one child. Third Brother too—just one.”

“The Fang family was lively enough before,” Yuanbao went on, “but now that Old Master Fang and Madam Sun have both grandsons and granddaughters—well, it’s a merry house indeed.”

Xiao Hu chuckled. “When Fang Youliang’s second son had his full-month banquet, I went into town for the feast. All those children gathered round—one wanting water, one wanting sweets—poor old Fang sat in the middle of the din, surrounded by the lot of them, near driven mad. I’d have fled if I could’ve stood.”

The table burst into laughter.

“How’s their business now?” Qi Beinan asked.

“Good,” Xiao Hu said. “Fang Youliang’s a capable one. He’s built a fine network in town and beyond. Though, truth told, he’s gotten fonder of drink—his wife’s the only one who can rein him in, tugging him home by the ear. Her family’s tofu shop has doubled in size; they even hired two more hands. When I pass that way, they always recognize me and stuff tofu into my basket, won’t take a coin for it.”

“Second Sister and her husband’s rouge shop is thriving too,” Xiao Yuanbao added. “They’re planning to open a second branch this year. Both of them clever and hardworking—but with only one daughter so far, the elders keep urging them to have another or two while they’re young.”

“As for Third Brother,” Xiao Hu said, “they’re not in trade, but his wife’s family are ambitious folk. They’ve come to buy fertilizer from our estate more than once, hearing our crops were good.”

Qi Beinan listened with quiet pleasure. Hearing that everyone back home was well brought him comfort.

He refilled Xiao Hu’s cup, smiling. “Father, you used to be the quiet one—never knew a thing about the village gossip. Now you seem to know every family’s story by heart.”

“Ha,” Xiao Hu said, taking a drink. “Since I’ve stopped going up the hills, the neighbors come to me for wine. After enough rounds of that, what’s left to learn?”

“More likely my brother told you over drinks,” Jiang Fulang said, smiling. “And he and his wife—are they getting on well in the village?”

“Getting on? Of course,” Xiao Hu replied. “The village head’s as sharp as ever—used to keep things in fine order, and now with Guangzong doing so well in Jinling, with a powerful father-in-law to boot—those two have status and ability both. Their life’s as good as it gets.”

Jiang Fulang chuckled.

Xiao Yuanbao, seeing his teacher in good spirits, said, “The other day, Third Brother Zhao sent over New Year’s goods. He wrote in his letter that Teacher mustn’t play favorites—said that once Atuan’s expecting, we’ll have to send for you again to take care of her, just as you’ve looked after me.”

Jiang Fulang, though delighted, sighed with mock complaint. “One after another—are you all set on working me to death?”

Xiao Yuanbao laughed softly, picked up a morsel of food, and placed it in Jiang Fulang’s bowl. “Teacher, you’ve worked hard enough. When Atuan becomes pregnant, once I’ve finished my confinement, I’ll go with you to Jinling to visit her. She still complains I didn’t go to her wedding.”

Jiang Fulang smiled. “That would be best.”

Once they had begun reminiscing about family and friends, more memories rose to mind. Xiao Yuanbao took Qi Beinan’s hand. “Anan, did you hear? Scholar Ma finally passed the provincial exam.”

Qi Beinan set down his cup. “I remember mentioning him during the last round of exams, but afterward I was buried in the salt bureau’s affairs and never had time to ask. Truly, I hadn’t heard.”

“Before Mid-Autumn I received a letter from Xin-ge’er. He told me Ma-juren did well—his ranking was quite high. After three years’ pause, he’s improved greatly.

“And Xin-ge’er himself is coming to the capital. He’s proven quite the merchant. Somehow he managed to persuade the weaver who makes Wanyue gauze to work under him. At the start of the new year he’ll open a silk shop here in the city, right as Ma-juren arrives for the metropolitan exam.”

Qi Beinan raised his brows. “Remarkable indeed. Then by next spring, you, Sister Gui, and Xin-ge’er will all be together again.”

Xiao Yuanbao smiled with delight. “Exactly.”

So many pieces of good news—such letters had been his only comfort during those long months away in Yuanping.

The reunion feast stretched on happily for more than an hour. Afterward they went out to the garden to set off firecrackers.

Qi Beinan, who was never one for such amusements, surprised them all by lighting a few himself.

They played for a while in the garden before the family, knowing how long the couple had been apart, urged them to return early to their rooms to rest and talk in peace.

Xiao Yuanbao and Qi Beinan walked back together to Xingyi Pavilion.

“I thought the salt investigation would take longer,” Xiao Yuanbao said after a while, cheeks flushed as Qi Beinan held his hand.

Though his husband’s hands were warm again, he could not forget how cold they had been earlier.

“Once I slowed down, my thoughts only wandered to you and the child,” Qi Beinan said quietly. “The worry made me restless, so I threw myself fully into work instead. Strangely enough, that made everything move faster.”

“You worked yourself thin,” Xiao Yuanbao said, touching his face with a hint of distress. “Teacher whispered earlier that you look more weathered.”

Qi Beinan smiled. “Not weathered—just becoming a father. That alone adds years.”

He caught Xiao Yuanbao’s hand and said playfully, “Let me see if our little xiaodie looks older yet.”

“I’m not even that old! I’m still—ah!”

Before he could finish, Qi Beinan swept him up in his arms.

Xiao Yuanbao widened his eyes. “And they say fathers-to-be should be steady! Look at you.”

Qi Beinan only laughed, spinning them gently around the room. “How could I not be happy? I’m going to be a father! Our Qi family and Xiao family will have a child!”

Xiao Yuanbao clung to his neck, meaning to scold him and make him put him down—but seeing the pure joy on his face, he couldn’t help smiling too.

This long-delayed joy seemed at last to make up for all that had been missed.

When their laughter finally subsided, Qi Beinan set him carefully on the bed.

He wrapped an arm around Yuanbao and with the other hand gently stroked the curve of his belly. Their heads rested close together.

“You can’t know how frantic I was when I read your letter,” Qi Beinan said softly. “So happy that we’d have a child—and so frustrated it came at such an inconvenient time. In Yuanping, no matter how busy I stayed, my heart never stopped worrying for you and the baby.”

“Everything’s been well looked after,” Yuanbao murmured, placing his hand atop Qi Beinan’s. “See? All is fine now. Sister Gui checks my pulse often—she says this pregnancy is strong and steady, nothing to fear. Though lately this little one’s been livelier, perhaps knowing you were on your way home—always kicking.”

“Then he must have felt his father drawing near,” Qi Beinan said with a smile. “Happy because you were happy.”

Yuanbao laughed, nestling closer against his neck. “Tell me, do you think it’s a boy or a girl?”

“Our child—whatever comes, it’s good. I’ll welcome either with the same heart.”

He kissed Yuanbao lightly. “Son or daughter, I’ll raise them well.”

“Father says the same,” Yuanbao replied. “He says boy or girl, he’ll love them all the same. He only hopes we’ll have two or more so the house will be lively.”

“I’d like that too,” Qi Beinan said. “A full house of laughter. But seeing how hard it is for you—pregnancy, all its discomforts—how could I wish that burden on you too often? I’ve heard women weep easily, feel ill and fragile. When I was gone, did you ever cry alone?”

Yuanbao laughed. “I don’t think so. With this first child I’ve been fine—barely any sickness, and certainly no tears. Though today, when you walked in looking so thin and worn by the road, I almost did.”

Qi Beinan sighed softly. “Then it’s good I came home when I did.”

“Don’t say it like that. Seeing you like this—travel-stained, thinner than before—while I’ve been resting, eating well, and treated like royalty by Father and Teacher—I only felt guilty, not proud.”

“If you’re well, that’s all that matters,” Qi Beinan said. “Had you not been, I truly would have wasted away.”

Xiao Yuanbao brushed a kiss across his brow. “Even if you look a little older, you’re still just as handsome—and I’ll never stop liking you.”

They spoke on in low voices, trading every little story from the six months they’d been apart, as though trying to fill the missing time between them.

Outside, snow whispered against the windows. Across the capital, lanterns glowed, and fireworks crackled long into the night.

In Qi Beinan’s arms, Xiao Yuanbao drifted to sleep, warm and safe.

That night was the warmest of the whole winter—peaceful, steady, and filled with quiet joy.

Qi Beinan touched the tip of his nose and murmured, “May every year be like this—may we always stay side by side.”

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